Positive Pets Dog Training understands the importance of having a well-behaved dog at home. Whether it’s an excited dog that jumps on guests or a persistent beggar around the dinner table, these common behaviors can make life a bit more challenging for you and your pup. At Positive Pets Dog Training, we specialize in teaching dogs to behave politely and calmly, making home life pleasant for everyone. Here, we’ll cover a few key strategies to guide your dog toward better household manners.

1. Stopping Jumping: Teaching Your Dog to Greet Calmly

Jumping is a natural behavior for dogs; it’s how they express excitement and greet others! However, it can become problematic, especially when it involves knocking over guests or family members. To discourage jumping, we focus on redirecting excitement into behavior you want to encourage, like sitting or staying calm.

Training Tips:

• Reward Calm Behavior: Start by rewarding your dog with treats or praise only when they are calm. Ignore them when they jump, as even eye contact can reinforce the behavior.
• Teach an Alternative Greeting: Training your dog to “sit” when greeting people helps establish a polite behavior in place of jumping.
• Practice with Distractions: Positive Pets offers Group Classes where your dog can practice this skill with different people and dogs in controlled settings, building their ability to stay calm even when excited.

2. Curbing Begging: Helping Your Dog Learn Boundaries Around Food

Begging is another common behavior, especially for food-motivated dogs who learn quickly that lingering around the dinner table can result in a tasty treat. At Positive Pets, we emphasize boundary training to help dogs learn when and where they are allowed to be around food.

Training Tips:

• Set Up a “Place” Command: Teaching your dog to go to a designated spot, such as a mat or bed, during mealtimes helps establish a boundary.
• Practice Consistency: Ensure everyone in the household is on board with not feeding the dog from the table. Inconsistency can make it challenging for your dog to understand when begging is acceptable (or not).
• Rewards: Reward your dog for staying in their designated area with treats or toys. Over time, they’ll start to associate staying in their spot with a positive outcome.

3. Reinforcing Calmness in Busy Households

With the sounds of a busy household, it’s common for dogs to become overstimulated. In situations where guests arrive or daily activity levels increase, Positive Pets offers training programs that incorporate techniques for managing excitement.

Training Tips:

• Practice Self-Control: Commands like “stay” and “wait” are essential for teaching dogs to calm themselves. Practicing these commands regularly in low-stress environments builds a solid foundation for busier settings.
• Use Mental Stimulation: Just like humans, dogs need mental exercise. Engaging your dog’s mind with puzzle toys, scent games, or training sessions can help reduce hyperactivity.
• Establish a Routine: Dogs thrive with structure. Setting a routine for playtime, feeding, and relaxation can help create stability, reducing stress and unwanted behaviors.

4. Preventing Door Dashing

Door dashing is not only inconvenient but also a safety hazard. We train dogs to respect boundaries and remain calm near doors.

Training Tips:

• Teach a Reliable Recall: A strong recall command like “come” can stop your dog from rushing through open doors. Start practicing in a controlled environment before trying it near the front door.
• Use a Barrier Signal: Teaching your dog to “wait” or “stay” at the door reinforces boundaries.
• Reward Patience: Rewarding your dog for holding back when the door opens encourages them to stay calm and focused, even when they’re eager to go outside.

5. Building Confidence and Self-Control with the Positive Pets Approach

Training for household manners goes beyond just correcting behaviors—it involves building your dog’s confidence and teaching self-control. Positive Pets Dog Training believes in creating a learning environment that’s engaging, encouraging, and rewarding for your dog. Positive Pets offers both private and group lessons designed to teach essential manners for the home, from basic commands to advanced skills. Our approach combines training exercises, mental stimulation, and consistent outcomes, ensuring your dog not only learns new behaviors but also feels proud and motivated to practice them. Contact us today!